Which is a better management for vocal fold cyst: cold knife or laser resection?

Abstract

Background The objective of the study is to compare the conventional microlaryngeal surgery and the CO2 laser in the treatment of cysts of vocal folds, regarding the postoperative quality of voice. This study was conducted on 53 cases with vocal fold cysts. The cases were randomly allocated into two groups: group 1 (27 cases) was operated by the conventional technique, and group 2 (26 cases) was operated with CO2 laser microlaryngeal operation. At 3-month postoperative, evaluation was done by stroboscopic evaluation of vocal folds, grade of hoarseness, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain (GRBAS) scale and Arabic version of Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Results The stroboscope assessment revealed that glottic closure was complete, symmetrical motion, the reappearance of the mucosal wave, normal amplitude, and periodicity in all patients. There is insignificantly different between either group as regards the postoperative scores on VHI and GRBAS scale. Conclusion There is insignificantly different when comparing laser to conventional microlaryngeal surgery for excision of vocal fold cysts regarding the quality of voice.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Awake Transnasal Laser‐Assisted Surgery for Benign Laryngeal Lesions

“…For Reinke's edema and nodules, laser was applied directly over the lesions until visually flatten or drained. Laser marsupialization was done for vocal fold cysts, with judicious use of laser power to avoid inadvertent damage to underlying layers of lamina propria 8,10,11 . Post‐operatively, patients were kept nil‐by‐mouth for 2 h with continuous SpO 2 monitoring for 1 h. All patients were discharged on the same day of surgery, and overnight observation was only offered if there were any concerns from the surgeons.…”